Bluegrass Fiddling

Mac Magaha-Nashville's Dancing Fiddler

The Intrepid Fiddler

Busking in the Digital Age

Isle of Birds

Scottish Fiddling with Pete Clark

Jody's Column

"Broken Down Gambler" as played by The Skillet Lickers

Tunesmiths

A Favorite Tune and its Mysterious Title

On Improvisation

In this On Improvisation column, we'll be discussing Mr. (or Ms.) Pinky, as he (or she) is known to his (or her) friends.

Ingredients of Fiddle Tunes

After several years of teaching and playing at the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend, Washington, Marc Savoy, accordion maker and player, said he did not want to return.

Glen Harrell - Turn up the Volume

In just a little over 10 years since its formation, Volume Five has become one of the most popular bluegrass bands in the industry. The reason is obvious: distinctive, strong vocals, quality instrumentation, well-chosen bluegrass and gospel songs in its repertoire, and a dedicated leader of the band.

Violin Maker's Corner

Fundamental Friction Facts for Fiddler Folks

Murray Kuun: Non-traditional Violin Maker

Murray Kuun is a woodworker and luthier living in South Africa, where he builds violins and other instruments. In a recent interview, he told us about his path to becoming a maker of instruments with innovative designs.

Instrument Maker James Morris: Where History and Creativity Meet

I first came upon James (Jim) Morris' musical creations on the Facebook group Fiddle Tune Video Library.

John Preston: Making Living Trees into Singing Instruments

Every great chef knows the excellence of their dish depends on the quality of their ingredients. The same is true for the builder of instruments.

Dan MacDonald: Organically Grown Music

Born in Ironville, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Dan MacDonald grew up with the sounds of his parents and a few of his 11 siblings making music.

Christiaan Van Hemert: Arpeggiating Jazz

For anyone trying to learn to play Gypsy jazz, one of the main hurdles is becoming a fluent improvisor.

Gerry Harrington's Search For The Soul Of Irish Music

Few fiddlers, Irish or otherwise, are as sensitive or insightful interpreters of traditional music as Gerry Harrington.

Bronwyn Keith-Hynes: Opening Windows

Bronwyn Keith-Hynes is a fiddler who likes to open windows, not only to hear what is out there, but also to let some of that air into the sound of her band Mile Twelve. She and her bandmates are happy having one foot in traditional bluegrass, while the other foot is dipping its toes into other genres.

Big Family: Documentary Celebrates Bluegrass

Late last August, Kentucky Educational Televison (KET) brought an in-depth look at bluegrass music to the small screen through many Public Broadcasting Stations throughout the US.

Violin Maker's Corner

Hello friends, I am pleased you have joined me this quarter as I, and the wonderful staff here at Fiddler Magazine, kick off a brand new column!

Kenny Kosek: Tales From The 'Fertile Crescent Of Fiddle Music'

It was nearly a half century ago that Breakfast Special swung by the Rutgers University student center for a performance at the Tuesday Night Folk Music Concert Series.

Ira Bernstein's “Chips and Sauce”

Ira Bernstein’s “Chips and Sauce”

Memories Of Manitoba's Carl Grexton

An old man’s squint reveals much as he digs into a fiddle. How he squeezes the instrument, shuffles his feet, puckers his lips, staring – at what? Listen and look.

Ryan Young: A Study In Contrasts

Ryan Young is a study in contrasts. Known for wild and percussive playing onstage with Trampled by Turtles, he is almost shy offstage.

Tatiana Hargreaves - Hard-Driving Fiddle

As a fiddler, Tatiana Hargreaves has done more before the age of 25 than most fiddlers do in an entire lifetime.

George Jackson: 'Coming Home To Dance Music'

We know the world is full of fiddlers.

'I Wouldn't Trade My Style …' An Interview With Carl Grexton

[This is an edited transcription of a conversation between Will Henry and fiddler Carl Grexton, who was 74 at the time. It was recorded at Grexton’s home in Grandview, Manitoba, on March 13, 1984.]

Waltzes & Airs

A River of Possibilities

The Hidden Note

Cherish the Ladies, Part II: Pioneering Women Fiddlers

Remembering Clark Kessinger

 A 1982 Interview with Clark's friend, Billy C. Hurt

Talking Shetland Fiddling With Kevin Henderson

Kevin Henderson is a native of Shetland, an archipelago off the northeast coast of Scotland with one of the richest fiddle traditions in the world.

Kalia Yeagle: Waxing On Old Time

Old time musicians have the uncanny ability to make old music feel fresh again. They revitalize songs from long ago and create sounds that appeal to an audience’s sense of familiarity and nostalgia.